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February 2018 news

This month we talk to Sarah Holt who has recently returned to cycling and completed the London to Paris ride to fundraise for St Helena Hospice

We have a local cyclist volunteering to ride with those with visual impairments who have access to a tandem.

Re-Cycle need more bikes and Colchester Bike Kitchen need more volunteers, so they can consider extending their opening hours to weekly

We highlight again the great opportunity for a one to one session to build your confidence to cycle for just £10.

Have you heard about Britain’s forgotton 1930’s protected cycleways including our own Cymbeline Way? If not find out more about the 500 mile network of protected cycle ways that were installed in the 1930's and what has happened to them now.

If lack of a shower at work is discouraging you from commuting by bike, we share Sustrans tips for commuting by bike and staying fresh when you get there.

Find out how Good Journeys are rewarding people for going car-free to UK attractions.

Do you have a visual impairment and would like to ride?

Cyclist Bryan Crunden has been in touch to ask if we know of any visually impaired people with access to a tandem, and just need someone to ride on the front? He’s willing to offer his time occasionally, so please email cyclecolchester@gmail.com if you know anyone who might be interested.

Re-cycle need more bikes

Local charity Re-Cycle has had a great start to 2018, they have already sent out 2 jam-packed containers to their partners in The Gambia and Ghana. February continues to be a success as more containers are being scheduled! But, Re-Cycle still needs your help. Do you have an unused and unwanted bike? Please check out their website to find out how to donate: www.re-cycle.org. You can also keep up with their progress by following them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bicyclecharity

Colchester Bike Kitchen looking for more volunteers

Colchester Bike Kitchen is hoping to open weekly once the weather improves, so that even more people can come and use their tools, or get some assistance from one of the volunteer mechanics. But they need more volunteers! So if you like a bit of bike fettling, and sharing your knowledge with other cyclists, do get in touch. Email hello@colchesterbikekitchen.org.uk. See opening hours

Build your confidence to cycle.

Many adults who take up cycling for work or pleasure find that if they haven’t cycled for a long while, their confidence on the roads is a bit shaky. Cycle training is the ideal way to regain confidence and get the skills you need to cycle among traffic - and it costs as little as £10 per session.

So if you’re new to cycling, or just want to improve your confidence or road skills, you can book a private lesson with a qualified instructor. Sessions can be tailored to any level of experience. For more information please contact Safer Essex Roads Partnership

Britain's forgotten 1930s protected cycleways

In May 2017 a successful Kickstarter campaign - "Let's rescue Britain's forgotten 1930s protected cycleways" - raised a startling £24,970 from 982 wonderful backers. Between 1934 and 1940 Britain’s Ministry of Transport paid local authorities to install cycle tracks. As seen and heard on the BBC, ninety or so schemes were built, resulting in perhaps as many as 500 miles of cycle tracks, some of them protected with curbs. The great majority were built – 9-ft wide and both sides of the roads – next to the new bypasses of the era, like Cymbeline Way, also known as the Avenue of Remembrance, in Colchester. And even though the Kickstarter campaign has now ended, it’s still possible to get the same emails and reports as the original backers. If you’d like to be involved, please fill in the form here

No shower? No problem!

Don't let a lack of showers at your workplace prevent you from cycling to work. Read these top tips from Sustrans for commuting by bicycle and staying fresh when you get there.

Get rewarded for going car-free to UK attractions

Good Journey are on a mission to encourage both tourists and local residents to enjoy many of the UK's best-loved venues and landscapes, and enjoy the journey getting there. Visit their easy-to-use website to find out how you can get to some of the UK's most popular attractions car-free - and receive discounts of up to 50% for doing so!